signal to noise

1 definition found

signal to noise - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Signal to noise ratio \Sig"nal to noise" ra`ti*o\, Signal to
  noise \Sig"nal to noise"\, n. (Electronics, Information science,
     Experimental science)
     The ratio of the intensity of a signal[2] to the background
     noise detected by a measuring instrument, especially in a
     communications channel; the higher the ratio, the more
     accurately the information contained can be interpreted. The
     term is applied not only to human communications, but to the
     detection of information in any system that is being studied
     to gain knowledge; as, the signal-to-noise ratio of light
     signals in older optic fibers drops to an unusable level
     after several miles..
     [PJC]